Institutions of Christian religion framed out of Gods word, and the writings of the best diuines, methodically handled by questions and answers, fit for all such as desire to know, or practise the will of God. Written in Latin by William Bucanus Professor of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Lausanna. And published in English by Robert Hill, Bachelor in Diuinitie, and Fellow of Saint Iohns Colledge in Cambridge, for the benefit of our English nation, to which is added in the end the practise of papists against Protestant princes.

What if the Magistrate offer thee some open and great wrong? what must thou doe?

I must not vse any violence against him, for now no priuate person hath, with Ehud, Iudges 3.21. Extraordinarie commande∣ment from god, to kil Princes, as may be obserued, in the Lords prouident disanulling of such trayterous attempts. And here note, that all such persons, as in the Scriptures attempted any thing a∣gainst the life euen of Tyrants, they had not onely a personall warrant from God, but also effected their purpose, and without the losse of their owne liues deliuered the people. And surely it were better for priuate men priuately to beare all wrongs done by Princes, as it were in a doubtfull case, then in auenging them∣selues to sin against God: For here Christ bids mee, to turne the other cheeke, that is, to beare all wrongs done, especially by my gouernour, for Gods sake, knowing this, that he who is reiected by men, is not, for an iniurie receiued, abiected by God.

Secondly, it becommeth wise men to try all meanes, and suf∣fer all wrongs, rather then to rise in Armes against Go∣uernours.

Thirdly, if it bee an inferior magistrate who wrongs me, I am to come, by supplycatorie petition, to the superior for his aid: and, euen against him, vse rather Lawe then force, in a free com∣mon weale.

Fourthly, I am by flight to auoid the present wrong of my gouernour.

This in the Scriptures wee finde Practised by Gods people to Pharaoh, and the same people to Nebuchadnezzar a tyrant were commaunded to performe obedience, and to pray for him. His successor Darius, Daniell obeyed, and said, O King liue for euer,b. And when Dauid was moued to kill Saul, though he was to succeed him in his kingdome, and had receiued many wrongs from him, as that he gaue his wife to another, banished him out of his kingdome, and killed the priests for his sake, yet he said God forbid that I should lay hands vpon the lords annointedc,

and when he had but cut off the lap of his garment, he was grie∣ued for itd: what would he haue bin, if he had shed his bloud? yea when one brought him word that he had slaine him, did he not command him to be executed as a traitore? And this he did, that he might not make himselfe a president for traitors by a discon∣tented spirit, through his example, to kill kings. Nay, he thought it better, to make a deere account of his Soueraignes life, though he sought his. Tertullian hath to this purpose an excellent speech, Christianis praestat occidi, quam occidere, It is better for Christians to be killed then to kill. This made Paul to say, let euery soule be subiect to the higher powersf this made him to exhort, that praiers and sup∣plications be made for Kingsg, euen for such kings as Nero was in his time: this made Peter to say, Feare God, Honour the Kingh. This made Solomon to say, My son feare God and the King, and meddle not with them that are seditious, and to aduise all men in the booke of the Preacher, not so much as to curse the king in their heartsk.

Notes

• Tihis & 7 questiōs af∣ter are ad∣ded of pur∣pose to this English trā∣slation,
• Exod 5, 1. Isa, 29, 7
• b

  Dan. 6, 21
• c

  1 Sam, 26 11
• d

  1 Sam. 24, 6
• e

  2 Sam. 1.14, 15
• f

  Rom. 13.1
• g

  1, Tim. 2.1
• h

  1. Pet, 2, 17,
• 1 Prov. 24, 21
• k

  Eccle. 10.20